Curtain-stretcher



(No Model.)

CURTAIN STRBTGHBR.

.y Patented 001;. 13, 1885. I'. iffy-1 @A l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFREDP. BOHLINGER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

CURTAIN-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,278, dated October13, 1885.

Application tiled May 1G, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED P. BOHLINGER, of the city of St. Louis, inthe State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Curtain-Stretchers, &c.,of which the following is afull, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming part of this speciiication, in which- Figure 1 is a top view ofmy improved frame and stretcher. Fig. 2 is an end View of the same. Fig.8 is an enlarged detail top View with the curtain removed. Fig. 4 is anenlarged detail top view of one of the sides of the frame, illustratingthe joint, which is shown disconnected. Fig. 5 is an edge view of same.Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 4, showing the joint connected. Fig. 7is a similar view to Fig. 5, showing the joint secured. Fig. 8 is atransverse section taken on line 8 8, Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a perspectivetop view illustrating the manner of securing thetenter-hooks to theiiaps or canvas. Fig. 10 is a similar view reversed, showing a sectionof the under side of the flap and the manner of looping the cord thatattaches the tenter-hooks.

Similar letters of reference illustrate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

The invention relates to an improved curtain-stretcher, quilting-frame,&c., that is capable of being adjusted to the size and shape ofthearticle or goods to be operated on, and has a provision not oulytofasten the main body of the curtain, dto., by tenter-hooks, but also hasa device by which the finest lace scallops and fringes that border thecurtain can be laid out so that in drying it will maintain its requiredposition without applying the main force of the stretcher to the moredelicate parts of the curtain.

The invention consists of a frame of four or more bars or strips. I haveshown a frame with six sections; but I do not confine myself to thatnumber, for itis evident that the number may be increased or diminishedwithout departing from the essential features of my invention. The sidesof this frame, as shown, are each composed of two pieces, which aresecurely connected at their junction by tenon and mortise joints. Thejoint is still further stiffened Serial No. 165,751. (No model.)

by a metallic split sleeve that slides over it and in conjunction withpins or screws that pass through both sleeve and joint clamps andtightens the same, making a completely stift joint. rlhe ends of theframe as shown are each composed of a single piece; but I do not soconfine myself, for it is evident that they may be made in double ormultiple sections jointed together, as shown and4 described, in thesides. Flaps composed of canvas or other fabrics are attached to thestrips and form a convenient provision for the attachment of thetenter-hooks. These iiaps form an important and novel feature in thedevice, making a soft and level bed (after or at the time the main bodyof the curtain is stretched) on which to lay out and join the fine-lacescallops and fringed borders of the curtain. The frame is held at itscorner joints by metallic screwclamps, as usual.

Referring to the drawings, A A are the side and end pieces of the frame,and A and A are respectively the tenon and scarf or jaws of the mortisethat compose the middle joints of said frame.

B B are the clamps that secure the corners of the frame, and B B thethumb-screws by which they are fastened.

C C are the metallic sleeves that slide over and sustain the middlejoints of the frame, and C C the pins or screws that pass through thesleeve and corresponding members of the joint and secure the same.

D and D are respectively the narrow and broad flaps of canvas or otherfabric to which the tenter-hooks and curtain are attached.

E E are the tenter-hooks for holding the curtain iu the process ofstretching, and E the looped cords that secure the hooks to the fabric.(See Figs. 9 and 10.)

F is the curtain in frame. (See Fig. l.)

In operating the stretcher when the curtain or other goods are ofsuflcient size to require double sections on either sides or ends, thecorresponding pieces are first securely fitted together, the metallicsleeve slid over the joint onto its seat, and the pin or screw C',passing through sleeve and joint, is tightened, forming a stiff joint.The curtain is secured by the tenter-hooks to the stretcher, thescalloped or roc fringed lace border being laid out on and pinned to theWide flap at the same time or after the curtain is stretched. The sideand end sections of the frame are now brought relatively into theirright positions and drawn back to stretch the curtain to the extentdesired, and the corner-clamps tightened by their thulnbscrews thenrigidly hold the frame to its Work.

The need of such a device has long been felt. In stretching curtainsheretofore great difficulty has been experienced in laying out andsecuring the ne and delicate lace scallops and fringes in the requiredposition While in the course of stretching and drying, as it is evidentthose parts are of too delicate astructure to stand the strain requiredto stretch the main body of the curtain.

The device is also useful for many other purposes-such as in quilting,dsc. Being a knockdown frame, when taken apart it zo can be put away ina very small compass.

I claim as my inventionl. In a curtain-stretcher, te., the combinationof adjustable frame A A, tenori-mortise joint A A, split sleeve C, andfasteningscrew 25 Ginserted through the sleeve-tenen and Inortise-jaws,all substantially as shown and described, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a curtain-stretcher, Ste., the eombination of adjustable frame,attachment flaps D 3o and D, tenter-hooks E, and cord E, looped throughthe fabric and eyes of the hooks and returned on itself, allsubstantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.

ALFRED l). BOHLINGER.

In presence of- BENJ. A. KNIGHT, J. E. KNIGHT.

